The Library’s board announced the closure as part of a package of measures to make savings of £250,000 in the next financial year.

Gareth Howells, Prospect Cymru/Wales Negotiations Officer said: “The Library is a valuable resource for students, authors, the media, family historians and the general public and changes such as this are a substantial cut in the service available to the people of Wales. It means losing public access to the reading rooms and exhibitions over the weekend.”

The Library will receive a 1.7% increase in its draft budget in 2009/10 but this does not cover the increased costs of providing the present service. It has received below inflation settlements over the last few years which have already led to cuts to services and real terms pay cuts for Prospect members.

Prospect has worked with the Library to minimise the impact on both members and the public but is concerned that there may be further cuts unless the Library’s financial situation improves.

The union is therefore calling on the Welsh Assembly Government to reconsider the Library’s draft budget, ensuring that it is a reasonable and fair settlement which protects against unacceptable cuts and allows our members to continue to collect and conserve our nation’s treasures.

Prospect is the largest union at the National Library of Wales where it represents conservators, curators, librarians, archivists, information systems staff, and designers. It represents professional workers throughout the UK in both the public and private sectors.

Fersiwn Cymraeg o'r stori: undeb treftadaeth yn galw am setliad ariannol teg i Lyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru [Welsh language version of this story]